Cookie making time

I have sugar cookie dough .... gasp! Mix.... from Costco. So we could make up some cookies for Santa. Ialso got confec. sugar the other day. We also have a "build a gingerbread house" from Costco to do.

Kate's friend H was sleeping over so they were busy. Derek fell asleep on the way home with Geoff and woke up enough to come in a fall back asleep on the sofa.
Geoff took him upstairs. I stayed up watching TV and he came tip-toeing down after 11 p.m.
He was wide awake.
I was totally into the movie 50 First dates. So we watched it .............until 12:35!!
Then I took him to bed with me and it seemed another hour before we fell asleep, he kept tossing & turning.
So I know he's going to crash soon tonight. He's been going all day and riding his bike
he's tired and cranky already.

Aren't we all.

homeschool night before Christmas

Twas the Night Before Christmas Homeschool Style
(Author Unknown)
'Twas the night before Christmas and all through the home,Children were still studying for their test on Rome.
Mom was planning, she had just an hour,To teach 'one more lesson' before their night shower.
A whole week of vacation, the children were thrilled,But Mom saw the lesson plans, and the blocks were still filled.
"Can I stop for a day, much less a whole week?"Just the thought of time off made me shudder and shriek!
Would they remember anything, would they fall behind?"
Lord, I need your help, just give me a sign!!!"
Then out on the sidewalk, I saw my four boys,And I heard them say, "it's not about toys."
To the neighborhood kids, they explained Jesus' birth,And how through Jesus, not toys, we gain our worth.
At that point, math and spelling and learning to write,Meant little to me as I had lost the sight Of what teaching at home was truly about.
Then I sat at my desk and began to pout.The pouts turned to sobs, "Lord what have I done?
It's not about grades, but to follow your Son!""Please guide me and show me my job is to teach,and turn them to you, and of Jesus I'll preach.
"Now we'll put away books and not open them 'til later,We'll focus on Jesus, our Lord and Creator.It's His day and so we will all celebrate,
I'll never mention the words "behind" or "we're late".
So, Thank You, Lord, for blessing me,With such a great husband and family.
Now homeschooling moms, TURN OUT THE SCHOOL LIGHT!
And, "Happy Christmas To All And To All A Good Night!"

Jesus instead of Santa?

What if Jesus came instead of Santa?The Night Before Jesus CameT'was the night before Jesus and all through the house,Not a creature was praying, not one in the house.Their Bibles were lain on the shelf without care,In hopes that Jesus would not stop by there.The children were dressing to crawl into bed,Not one ever kneeling, or bowing a head.And Mom in her rocker with a babe on her lap,Was watching the Late Show while I took a nap.When out of the East there arose such a clatter,I sprang to my feet to see what was the matter.Away to the window I flew like a flash,Tore open the shutters and threw up the sash!When what to my wondering eyes should appear,But angels proclaiming that Jesus was here.With a light like the sun sending forth a bright ray,I knew in a moment this must be THE DAY!The light of His face made me cover my head.It was Jesus! Returning just like He said.And though I possessed worldly wisdom and wealth,I cried when I saw Him in spite of myself.In the Book of Life which He held in His hand,Was written the name of every saved man.He spoke not a word as He searched for my name;When He said, "It's not here" . . my head hung in shame.The people whose names had been written with love,He gathered to take to His Father above.With those who were ready, He rose without sound,While all the rest were left standing around.I fell to my knees, but it was too late;I had waited too long and thus sealed my fate.I stood and I cried as they rose out of sight;Oh, if only we had been prepared for this night.In the words of this poem the meaning is clear;The time for His coming is drawing near.There's only one life and when comes the last call.We'll find what He told us was true after all.

and where did I hide the gifts?

We don't have visitors but with 2 kids birthdays and the holidays from Oct to Dec
we are very busy around here - - especially with a vacation thrown in the middle! :)
Last night I told Geoff I don't remember the gifts I've already bought and worst of all where I have hidden them around the house!
It will be interesting trying to find them all.

Our trip to Hawaii was wonderful as always. It was a lot cooler and more windy than we have experienced. On Oahu we stayed near Koko Crater which is on the southeast side of the island and the weather is quite different there than the southwest side of the island we have visited more often.
We stayed on Maui for 5 days and that was a lot of fun. The Marriott has a big water park for the kids and water slides. We had a very fun snorkeling/boat trip to the coast and saw many fish and beautiful corals.

Katie's 7th Birthday Hawaii

Happy 7th Birthday Katherine!

Dinner Party #1 the night before in Maui.

The dessert she chose was s'mores
over our own little fire.
Derek fell asleep (as usual at dinner)


Dinner Party #2 the band in the restaurant is playing the song
for everyone to sing to you- -
and we are on Oahu today!

You loved being on 2 Hawaiian islands on your birthday.

Maui Waterslide

Maui

Waterslide

Vacation to Maui & Oahu

We're off on vacation to Maui - Marriott and on Ohau at a friend's house out by Koko Head Crater.

On Maui we took a snorkelling trip on a boat with a window for the kids to see the fish. The kids tried snorkelling, Kate hated it; Derek endured it; James finally fell in love with it and went quite far with me.

On the way to Koko Head we passed by Blow Hole everyday and it was quite active since there was a storm and heavy tradewinds blowing everyday we were there. It was a "cool" trip, not as much sun as we like. This is the first trip we have come home without tans. Oh well, better for the skin anyway.

update on life

We had a major school change too. I was happy with the kids' school, but always wanted to homeschool.
So after taking care of my dad until he died in February, I decided I wanted my kids home with me and we are homeschooling this year.
James is in 4th and Katherine is in 1st. She will finish some of this school's 1st grade work this month and we'll move her to 2nd grade subjects in the new year.

We went to LA for Katherine's early birthday present (dec 3) to go to the American Girl Store for her first doll and accessories. We had a wonderful time with my mom and she brought a friend.
Satuday we were busy preparing with a haircut and pedicures for my dear friend's wedding, Katherine was a flower girl.

And so we are very busy finishing the 1st Quarter of homeschool with James taking tests this week.

How's Homeschooling going???

There isn't a short answer about how homeschooling is going........ and with everything, there are good days and bad, We are still learning how to do all this...............

Overall, the homeschooling is going well. Katie is zooming through 1st grade. I already turned in her 1st quarter grades 3 weeks ago, and she is ahead in phonics 2 quarters and english. (I knew she would do fine) She is missing having friends around all day. But we started gymnastics and met some Catholic homeschool families at the park last Wednesday after Mass.

James is taking his 1st quarter tests this week. His work is much more intense.
However, I'm trying not to push him and stress the two of us out. He and I "butt heads" very often. I knew he would be more of a challenge. Plus it is 4th grade and the expectations for writing and reading are much more.
Even I have a tough time keeping up with his workload of subjects!

I've been doing lots of research on unschooling and reading lots of internet information and books from the library.
So when we have a day of little "book schooling" I know that they are kids and they do learn a lot from playing.
It helps keep the pressure off.

Parenting remains the challenge. It is a huge adjustment to have all 3 at home all day. Usually they get along great, but they have their moments. Going up to Moms group at St. Therese on Thursday mornings has helped a lot. They get to play and do crafts with the kids and I get to see my mom friends.
We enrolled back into gymnastics at the YMCA after taking a couple months off. So we are adding in more activities as the year progresses.

Well that's still a long but short answer.
I'm reading an awesome book "My Life with the Saints" by James Martin, S.J.
Borrowed from the library. It is a Jesuit priest and he shows how he has learned about the Saints as he has "become" Catholic and a priest in seminary. He has several other books, I will be looking into.

Also been reading more about Mother Teresa. And Moms group was Great a few weeks ago to remind me how easy the Divine Mercy Chaplet is. I finally ordered EWTN on cable and love doing the rosary and DM chaplet with the videos they play.

Time to get going! James finished his science & religion tests and called a recess! It is lunch time anyway.

Halloween 2006

Laurie's the housewive in her robe & mask.
Geoff is an Arabian Prince
James is Pirate Captain Jack Sparrow. Katie is a Singing Diva Derek is Stitch
and Coco is Buzz Lightyear.

Happy 4th Birthday Derek!

cake & candle time......



I got just what I wanted. Tremor the Wolly Mammoth, Rescue Heroes and their police car.

Nativity Project

This looks so cute and easy project for the kids.

http://www.scrapbookscrapbook.com/free-printable-christmas-nativity.html

Cute Coco

Coco!

Receiving Military Service Flag

James Receiving Military Service Flag at my father's burial service.

Dad's Burial in Iowa

Military Burial in Iowa.
So many family and friends came.

Lewis & Clark museum Sioux City, Iowa

6/22/06

Missouri Valley, Iowa

Put your sticks down for a good picture.

Ok now show your sticks.

Derek

Beer Can Chicken

I went to a Dinner Making place and one of the dishes was Beer Can Chicken.

You flavor the chicken with dried spices and then open a beer can (which they sent one home with us) place the open cavity of the chicken over the upright beer can, and bake in the oven.

Here it is..................

It was very tasty and moist. But it did have a slight beer taste which I didn't like.

I've heard that there's a recipe for chicken with Coke for the glaze. Maybe a coke can next time? BUT I prefer Pepsi and that's what we buy........ we'll see.

Geoff's Marathon

Here's Geoff running his EIGHTH San Diego Rock 'n Roll Marathon. We wait for him around the 22nd mile near Sea World and here he comes.
Quick hugs, pictures and he changes his t-shirt.
There he goes - only 4.6 more miles to go! I don't know how he does it.
The crane (in the picture) takes pictures of all of the participants going by.

Mother's Day = Dooney

My gift for Mother's Day!!!

A Dooney & Bourke.

YEAH!

Books Leading me to Homeschool

The best books that helped me know God was calling me to homeschool:

New Puppy - Coconut

After returning from Iowa and seeing my cousin's puppy I spent all week looking for a Bichon Frise puppy.
I also asked about poodles when I called if they didn't have a Bichon.
Since I could only find male bichons, and we want a female, I decided on a female apricot poodle.
Here she is......... Coconut, Coco for short!

Funeral Day

Today was the funeral for my Dad. Immaculata Church, San Diego, CA.

Goodbye

My dad passed into the Arms of Jesus & Mary today.
Surrounded by all of us to say goodbye and good journey to Heaven.

Cinnamon Dolce Latte - Happy Birthday to Me!

All I want for my birthday is a Cinnamon Dolce Latte and a Starbucks gift card.
They are easy to mail........ hint, hint.........

Besides, at my age, I need the caffiene, and the "free" trip to Starbucks is a reward in itself.

It's my birthday, it's my birthday...............

Update on caring for my father.

My dad had 2 brothers from NJ and OR visit last weekend.
It was really great they were able to visit. It was extrememly sad of course about my dad, and visiting him was so emotional and taxing.
It was great for me because those are the 2 uncles I know the least. (Dad has 5 brothers) So we had a lot of catching up to do to learn about their lives and families.
My cousin D and her son J (19) also came with their dad. D was a super guest that helped me around the house so much. You hardly knew they were here. I think my house was cleaner because she was here! The kids, especially K, adored J. He is a wonderful young man.

I was OK when the 3 left for Oregon on Monday morning. The rush of it all and getting to the airport.
But Tuesday morning when dropping off J, I just had a terrible time saying goodbye.
He was so nice and helpful with talking about my dad.
He was very grateful for all G & I do to take care of my dad.
I was quite emotional all day after he left. I think it was so nice to have other people here and around who cared about my dad, wanted to visit him and talk about him.
When he left I felt all alone again.

But my dad is doing a bit better. He saw the neurologist on Thursday. She was surprised to hear how poorly he was doing and sort of wanted to see for herself. So it was a difficult morning.
Luckily the VA transported him for me and I met him at the hospital. Unfortunately, when I arrived he was covered in vomit. He did it in the van and they just left him sitting here in the waiting room.
(He left the nursing home @ 8 a.m. and I arrived at the waiting room @ 930)Finally after me trying to clean him up going back and forth to the bathroom (all the time keeping a eye on Derek) A nurse finally came to help us and wheeled him to a back room where we stripped
him down and cleaned him up and the wheelchair.
His Dr. was surprised to see how poorly he is doing. He was not able to do the verbal commands for touching and reaching that she always tests him with. He is not able to communicate how he is doing.
She is lowering his Sinemet medication and will be increasing the Seroquel over the next couple weeks.
She will call the nurses in 2 weeks and he has another appt. with her on Feb 9th
She orderd an EEG to make sure he did not have a seizure or stroke. (I don't know when that will be). She is concered about his lack of movement in his arms, and not being able to follow her commands to reach out and touch her finger and tap his heels.

I called our priest and he made a visit to dad yesterday. I was there and Fr. Matt gave him the Sacrament of the Sick. I will be meeting with Fr. Matt again on the 26th to go over the questions I have about the illness progressing, decisions about his care and about funeral things. I want to be prepared and do the right things according to the church.

Dad looked better yesterday. He got a haircut in the morning before I arrived. When we (me & Derek) arrived he was in physical therapy. He was tired but we were able to sit with him until Fr. Matt arrived. After the priest it was time for his lunch, so we left for our lunch also.

They take good care of him there. They keep him clean and his clothes and bed clean.
I spent the time there ( 1030 - 1230) checking in with B - a nurse and discussing his care, eating, weightloss and therapy. She is working on getting him a larger wheelchair.
And we are all in agreement that he should get a feeding tube inserted in his stomach that can give him extra nourishment and water in the night to supplement his daytime eating.
We are just waiting for the nursing home Dr. to come and see him - hopefully that will be Monday - to approve it and authorize it. Then we will see about him getting the tube inserted - probably at the VA hospital, and hopefully within the next week.
They weighed him on Tuesday and he was 130 lbs. He lost over 6 lbs last week.
He has lost 30 lbs. since July 20th.